Legislation needs to address money in politics

Friday

May 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM

Thank you for publishing Sen. Angus King's letter, "Shining light on the dark money in politics." (Portsmouth Herald, May 5.) I would like to applaud the senator for addressing the issue of dark money and introducing the Real Time Transparency Act of 2014. How can I and other people who agree with the senator help get it passed?

May 7 — To the Editor:

Thank you for publishing Sen. Angus King's letter, "Shining light on the dark money in politics." (Portsmouth Herald, May 5.) I would like to applaud the senator for addressing the issue of dark money and introducing the Real Time Transparency Act of 2014. How can I and other people who agree with the senator help get it passed?

There is a greater issue than dark money that should be addressed. I believe there is little doubt that great sums of money, dark or light, being introduced into our political system have undermined what Abraham Lincoln called "government of the people, by the people, for the people." The Supreme Court's Citizens United and McCutcheon decisions grant corporations the same right of free speech as people and allow unlimited amounts of money into politics in the name of free speech.

The money flowing into politics isn't being used to discuss ideas, but is creating a tsunami of propaganda as elections approach. The waves of misinformation can't be dealt with in the timeframes of elections and erode our democracy. In my opinion, these decisions clearly violate the intent of the Constitution.

It would not be unreasonable to consider impeaching members of the Supreme Court who voted for these decisions. Unfortunately, the likely result of this procedure would be the paralysis of a government that is already dysfunctional. Hopefully, Sen. King and other members of Congress appreciate the danger to our democracy and will introduce legislation that will address this larger issue. When they do, they can count on my support.

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